Dale Watson At Grand Ole Opry

Dale Watson is a country singer best known for “Nashville Rash,” his anthem decrying the state of modern country. Watson is a country music traditionalist whose sound reflects the strong influence of early country greats. Watson grew up in Pasadena, Texas, listening to his father's Hank Williams and Buck Owens albums, and was playing his own songs in local honky tonks by the time he was 15.

When Watson moved to Nashville in 1981 to try songwriting there, his preferred style of country music had fallen out of favor. So Watson headed out West, playing the Palomino Club in L.A. and eventually winding up back in Texas. Watson formed a backing band, the Lone Stars, and landed a contract with Hightone Records. Watson's debut album, 1995's Cheatin' Heart Attack, contained “Nashville Rash” and made Watson's name among critics and fans of alt-country. Watson stayed true to his throwback sound, making 21 albums over 16 years and winning industry accolades, including Best Coutnry Album from the Independent Music Awards for Truckin' Sessions, Vol 2 and membership in the Austin Music Hall of Fame. Watson's has a strong European fan base and has won country awards in the U.K., Spain, and the Netherlands as well. Watson's most recent album is 2011's The Sun Sessions. Watson is a frequent guest performer at the Grand Ole Opry. He was a cast member in Stephen King and John Mellencamp's musical “Ghost Brothers of Darkland County in 2012.